"I don't feel like the hero, it was a massive team effort," said Hinch.

"I saw this as an opportunity to step up and do my part for the team. I had to hold my nerve and I'm delighted with it."

England were beaten 2-1 by Germany in the group stage earlier this week, but midfielder Ashleigh Ball said: "In the pool games we didn't perform, we had a number of issues with our performance and the Germany game was definitely not our best."

England's men won European gold in 2009 but the women last reached a Euro final in 1991, beating Germany 2-1 in Brussels. They have not triumphed in a major tournament since, but have won European bronze on the past six occasions.

Captain Kate Walsh said: "To have finally cracked it, and against the Dutch as well, is a dream come true. We had to defend for our lives but we did it.

"This team is so young, so new in its life. If we can [win the tournament] it would be a brilliant achievement. We will definitely take it to Germany in that final."

Danson added: "We will come out here and give everything we have to be on that top rostrum at the end of this tournament."

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